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With a nearly 30 year career, the festival has become one of the most important in the Argentine province of Cordoba; the Basques couldn’t stay away from such an important event, so the dantzaris from various Basque clubs took turns to guarantee that the Basques were present. This year, for the third year in a row, the Euzko Etxea in Villa Maria represented the community in the parade as well as on stage. 

Alta Gracia, Argentina.   The annual mega gathering of communities took place this year on from January 30 through February 6, and as every year, included great artists.  Even if there isn’t an organized Basque community in the city of Alta Gracia, knowing that the Basques are a must, the organizers invited the Euzko Etxea of Villa Maria to participate in its 29th edition.  In previous years also the Gure Txokoa of Cordoba City has participated, and before, the extinct Ibai Guren Basque Club of Paraná.

The delegation from the Villa Maria Club was part of the traditional opening parade that took place in the afternoon on January 30.  During the parade through the old part, where other tourist attractions are located like the Tajamar and the Estancia Jesuitica, the Basques paraded and danced in their typical customs and provided a sample of the traditional sounds of the Basque Country

Once the festivities began and took to the stage, all ages from the group Jai Alai, 20 in all, performed “Azkoitia,” “Arku Dantza”  and “Arin.”  Remember that “The Whole World in Alta Gracia” besides being one of the largest festivals, is also the largest annual gathering as it is visited, annually over the seven nights, by nearly 150,000 people.

Also in Bell Ville

The Jai Alai Basque dancers began 2016's performance calendar at another community festival in the province.  It was in Bell Ville, where the Lions Club held the 7th edition of its event. Invited by the organization, the Euzko Etxea participated this time with three dance groups, the adults, youth and txikis, who were all very well received by the audience.  The Euskal Etxea stressed not only wonderful welcome received by their hosts, but also the importance of these regional festivals for the diffusion of the culture.